Remarks on the Employment of Females as Practitioners in Midwifery. By a Physician.
Channing, Walter 1820Published by Cummings & Hilliard, BostonLocation of original: Countway Rare Books, Harvard University

wifery in Europe. This is particularly the case with Dr. Haighton of
London, and Hamilton of Edinburgh, certainly the two most distinguished
teachers in Great Britain. They both reprobate in the strongest terms
the introduction of females into the practice, and paint in the liveliest
colours the dangers which arise from their inadequacy. The opinion of
the profession at large has been expressed in the most unqualified manner.
Among ourselves, it is scarcely more than half a century since females
were almost the only accoucheurs. It was one of the first and happiest
fruits of improved medical education in America, that they were excluded
from the practice; and it was only by the united and persevering exertions
of some of the most distinguished individuals our profession has been
able to boast, that this was effected.
The question really lies between the true and legitimate practitioners
of the profession, and ignorant and assuming pretenders. It is a question
whether the hopes of society shall be placed in the hands of those who
have devoted their lives to the study, and rest their prospects on the
success of an arduous and dignified profession, who have a character to
acquire or to lose, who are able and willing to bear the responsibility
of their office; or in the hands of those who, having neither education
nor character, can assume no responsibility. It is of the utmost importance
to separate the consideration of the general principle from that of a
particular instance. There is in the profession no wish to persecute or
oppress an individual; but the interest of an individual is not to be
put in competition with the interest of the